SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON
by
the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
April 15th, 2005
(NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication in this Synopsis of the Friday Sermon by Sister Shermeen Butt)
Supremely Compassionate nature of The Holy Prophet
Huzuraba delivered today’s Friday Sermon on the supremely compassionate nature of the Holy Prophet
with
specific reference to his most excellent practice of visiting and caring for
the sick and the
ailing.
Huzuraba said the Holy Prophet was always on
the look-out to pray for others and to alleviate their suffering. Citing verse
128 of Surah Al Taubah (9:128) and explaining the Arabic word used therein
of ‘harees’ (literal meaning, ‘to covet’) Huzuraba said
it carried extensive connotations and that here it denotes that the Holy Prophet was indeed ‘ardently desirous’ of
the well-being of creation of God.
Huzuraba further explained the subject with reference to several traditions
and Ahadith. Huzuraba said that if a person was ill for more than three consecutive
days then the Holy Prophet would visit him,
upon visiting he would pray for the ailing and stroke them with his right hand.
The Holy Prophet did not approve of one deriding
one’s illness explaining that Allah removes one’s sins during illness
just as impurities from gold are removed when it is placed in fire.
The Holy Prophet would be most patient in
his own illness. Huzuraba explained that when prophets of God fall ill, that
is not to remove their sins rather it is to set and demonstrate an example
to others of their patience and steadfastness during illness.
The Holy Prophet taught us to pray for ourselves
during our illness and to give alms. He drew the attention of his ummah towards
visiting the sick and the ailing and taught by example to try and provide any
specific food that an ailing person wishes to have. He enjoined that the best
manner in which to meet an ailing person is to place one’s hand on their
forehead and inquire how they are feeling.
Huzuraba instructed the auxiliary organisations of the Community to arrange programmes to visit the sick in hospitals; to maximise our means to seek nearness to Allah.
Among the foods the Holy Prophet recommended
for their healing qualities Huzuraba cited were kalaunji (tiny black seeds) honey,
fig, raisins, olive, dates and cow’s milk.